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Chapter 30

Kenny's POV

One of the staff members from rehab dropped me off at the courthouse. It's time for my hearing. Mr. Broflovski meets me outside and tells the staff member, he'll call when the hearing is over. "Are you ready?" He asks as he wheels me inside.

I shake my head. "Not really. I'm scared Mr. Broflovski." He told me he asked for a plea bargain and whether or not the judge accepts, I'm still going to go to jail.

"I know you are, but don't be. Everything is going to work out."

"Look at what happened to Kevin."

"Kevin is guilty of more crimes than you are. You can't compare the two."

"What if the judge wants to make an example out of me?" I can feel my hands getting sweaty. I'm freaking out right now.

"You need to relax."

"I can't relax! My freedom is on the line!"

He stops and kneels down in front of me. "As I've told you before, you're in the middle of a rehab program without a court order. That will work in your favor."

"How? That just shows I'm a druggie."

He shakes his head. "No, it's shows that you want to make a change to your life and you did it on your own."

"I guess." I look away.

"Relax son, everything is going to be fine." He pats me on the shoulder.

"I hope so."

"It will, you agreed to a plea bargain so you'll get a light sentence." We stop right outside the hearing room. I see Stan and Kyle approaching us. They promised they would be here for support even though they can't attend the hearing.

"But I'll still go to jail, right?"

Mr. Broflovski nods. "Only for a few months."

"But Drew-"

"Drew will be fine." Kyle interrupts. "You already made legal arrangements for him to stay with Stan's parents." When Mr. Broflovski told me about the plea deal, I knew I had to make arrangements for Drew so he wouldn't be taken away. The Marsh's agreed to take Drew in so we were able to give them temporary custody. This will also give Stan and Wendy a break since because of me, they have to take summer classes.

"What if he has a bad dream? Or his wakes up in the middle of the night crying for me?"

"Dude, my parents have raised two kids. Little Dude will be fine." Stan smiles.

"But-"

"Don't worry!" Mr. Broflovski tells me. "Let's go before we're late and have to go to trial."

"We're here for you dude." Stan tells me.

"Everything's going to work out. We'll be out here waiting when you get out."

I smile weakly and nod. "Thanks dudes." Mr. Broflovski takes me into the room. I look at the judge and he looks mean and intimidating. I really don't think this will end well.

He reads over all his documents and he looks up and glares at me, before turning his attention to Mr. Broflovski. "So Mr. Broflovski, you have a plea deal I see?"

He nods. "Yes, Your Honor."

"Your Honor, may I say something?" I ask nervously. He glares at me again, and now I'm extremely nervously. I can feel my hand shaking.

"Sure, go ahead."

If I weren't so nervous, I would let out a sigh of relief, but I know it's best for me to try to keep my emotions in check. "I know what I did was wrong, but I've learned my lesson. I started using heroin at 15 and before I knew it I was addicted. My son was born when I was 16 and I was left to care for him on my own. I was scared to death of raising a child and I used heroin to get through the day. I even did things I'm not proud of to get more heroin. I've overdosed more times than I can count and this is now my second stint in rehab. After the first one, I was given more heroin, I held out on using it until I was kicked out of school. That's when I got arrested. Again, I tried to hold out, but when I got out, I ended up using again and overdosed. My life hasn't been the same since. I was in a coma for almost a week. I speak differently, I was diagnosed with rhabdomylosis that's why I'm in this wheelchair. It hurts when I use my left leg. I can't even use my left arm or hand. I'm also suffering from kidney failure and on dialysis. I'm very lucky to be alive right now to tell the story. I want to get better not only for myself, but for my son. He doesn't have a mom, so I'm the only parent he has. I don't want him to lose me. I want to make a better life for him because he deserves. I'm ready to accept whatever punishment you're going to give me, then I want to work on getting my life together." I wanted to say more, but I started to get choked up. "I…umm…"

The judge puts his hand up. "Heard enough."

"But Your Honor-" I really wanted to get everything else out in the open.

"Kenny, let him talk." Mr. Broflovski interrupts me.

"Your lawyer wanted to go for a plea bargain. After listening to your testimony, I truly believe you've learned from your mistakes." I hope this is good news for me! "Instead of the punishment of six months in jail and a $500 fine, you're going to serve three months in jail and pay a $250 fine. You are to turn yourself in as soon as you complete your rehabilitation program."

I'm in complete shock right now. Everything has been cut in half. I can't believe it! "Yes, Your Honor."

"Case dismissed." The judge leaves and Mr. Broflovski gathers his papers and wheels me out.

"Well that went well. He gave you less time than what was in the plea deal." Mr. Broflovski gloats.

"I'm happy, but I'm going to lose out on more time with Drew." I knew jail time was inevitable, but it's still hard to accept.

"That's okay, you can take that time to plan out your next steps so you can be a better father to him."

"Dude, three months?" I look at Kyle. "That's even better!"

"Yeah…" I look down.

Stan puts his hand on my shoulder."Don't worry, my parents will take really good care of Little Dude while you're away."

I nod. "I know they will, I'm just going to miss him. Can you tell them to bring him to see me in rehab?"

"Of course dude. I know you need to explain things to him."

"Ahem?" We hear someone clearing their throat. We turn and see Megan. She was the last person I was expecting to see.

"Megan? What are you doing here?" I ask her.

"Hi Kenny, I heard you would be here. Can we talk…alone?" She looks at Stan and Kyle.

"Umm…" I look at them as well, but for different reasons.

Kyle taps Megan on the shoulder. "Wait, before you go, I have something I need to say. I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I was a complete dick to you and you didn't deserve that."

She nods. "Thank you Kyle. I really appreciate that."

"I need to apologize as well." She looks at Stan. "I didn't bother giving you a fair chance. I judged you based on your past and that was wrong of me. I'm truly sorry." I'm proud of Stan for that. He's not the type that likes to admit when he's wrong.

"Thank you. I accept both of your apologies." She looks at me. "Can we talk now?"

"You have a few minutes, he has to go back to rehab." Mr. Broflovski warns her. She nods and takes me down the hallway so we're alone. She sits down across from me.

"Are you okay?" She asks.

I nod. "I have to spend three months in jail. I guess it's not as bad as six months, but it still feels like a long time."

"It will go by quickly. I mean, you've been in rehab for two months now and look how fast that time has passed."

I shrug. "I guess."

"Sorry I haven't been able to visit. I was on the list of visitors that weren't allowed to see you."

I guess now is the time to tell her the truth. "I know. It was a part of-"

"I know all about Kyle and Karen's plan to set Kevin up."

My eyes widen. "You did?"

She nods. "Karen reached out to me to apologize and she explained everything. I'm so glad that scumbag is locked up where he belongs."

"Good." I'm so proud of Karen, I'm also happy Megan has gotten all the apologies that she deserves.

"She also told me that Stan told you how I feel about you..."

"Oh God..." I know my face is red.

"Trust me, I really didn't want to have this conversation either." She chuckles nervously.

"Before you say anything, I just want to say, I'm cool with it."

She seems taken aback. "Really? You're not upset? I mean you said you loved me…"

I nod. "I know and I meant that. But it's okay if you don't return the feelings. It's probably for the best anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm at the lowest point in my life right now. The last thing I need is to start a relationship. Once I finish rehab and jail time, I need to focus on getting my life together and I have to start by being a better father."

"That's a very mature attitude you have there. I'm proud of you." She hugs me.

"Thank you."

"I hate to break this up, but it's time for Kenny to go back to the rehabilitation center." Mr. Broflovski tells us.

"I'll come visit you now that I'm no longer on the list." Megan hugs me again.

"I would like that."

"In the meantime, take care."

"You too." We hug once again. Mr. Broflovski takes me to the vehicle to head back to rehab. I look back at my friends and smile. I know I've let all of them down, but once I get out, I'm going to make them and Drew very proud of me.

Epilogue coming soon!